MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trail system on the Grindstone Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest reopened this morning.

The closure issued Wednesday was due to more than 2 inches of rain received within 24 hours at the TS378 Remote Automated Weather System (RAWS).

The Grindstone Ranger District OHV trails are reopening following 48 consecutive hours of no measurable precipitation. The original closure order was scheduled to reopen the trails Sunday morning.

The Upper Lake Ranger District OHV trail closure remains in place and is currently scheduled to reopen the morning of Thursday, January 6, or when there has been 48 consecutive hours of no measurable precipitation, whichever occurs first.

As the winter storm season continues and wet weather becomes more common, visitors planning OHV trips to the Forest are encouraged to visit the Mendocino National Forest Web site at www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino, or to call the Forest Supervisor’s Office at 530-934-3316, Stonyford Work Center at 530-963-3128, or Upper Lake Ranger District at 707-275-2361, to verify that trails are open before traveling.

“We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation with the temporary OHV trail system closures,” said Forest Supervisor Tom Contreras. “These closures prevent further damage and reduce the risk of longer closures for costly repairs and restoration efforts. Waiting for conditions to improve and the trails to dry out helps us continue providing quality recreation areas for OHV riders.”

For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino.